Although the Pat Frank-Kevin Beckner race for the Democratic nomination for Hillsborough Clerk of the Circuit Court has upset many in the Hillsborough Democratic community, the two were united on Monday night in Ybor City addressing thousands at a vigil for the victims of the Orlando massacre. Proceding Beckner to the microphone, Frank said she agreed with Beckner that the county had made dramatic strides in respecting the rights of the LGBT community.
While Beckner is the first openly elected gay public official in the county, Frank has been a champion for causes for the gay community for decades.
The two are engaged in an intense intra-party battle. The 86-year-old Frank is running for her fourth term, but is being challenged by Beckner, who is term-limited out of his District 6 countywide seat later this year.
The 45-year-old Beckner had another strong fundraising month in May, taking in $11,492. That gives him a total of $196,020 in the race, with more than $131,000 cash-on-hand.
That’s more than double the $59,000 cash-in-hand that Frank has at the moment.
Frank raised only $637 last month, and has raised a total of $115,941.
The winner of the Aug. 30 primary takes on Republican Eric Seidel in November.
Seidel, a former consumer reporter for WTVT-Fox 13, raised $4,360 in May. He’s raised a total of $83,311, and has $54,294 cash-on-hand.
